Disk plow.



PATENTED 001'. 13, 1903.

s. v. WEEKS. DISK PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

N0 MODEL.

Q N Hnames 6'1: oam 213 m: cams PETERS co. IHGTO-LTHQ, WASHINGTON, m c,

PATENTED OCT. 13, 1903.

S. V. WEEKS.

DISK PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29 1903.

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3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

No. 741.199; 7 PATENTED OCT. 13, 1903. S. V. WEEKS.

DISK PLOW APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 29, 1903. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETSSHEBT 3.

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NIT-ED STATES Patented October 13, 1905.

PATENT FFlCE.

SAMUEL V. WEEKS, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO C. A. RAH'T, OF OHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

DISK PLOW.

SPECIFEQCATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 741,199, dated October 13, 1903.

Application filed January 29,1903. Serial No. 141,050. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL V. WEEKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Disk Plow, of which the following is a specification. 1

My present invention relates to a rotary disk plow, and has for its primary object to render the plow convertible at will into a gang-plow when it is desired to utilize more than a single disk.

A further object of the invention is to so organize the implement that in turning a corner the disk will be swung to aposition which will bear the same relation to the line of draft as is occupied by the disk in straightaway plowing, whereby the turns or corners will be plowed as deep as the furrows extending in parallel lines across the field.

A further object of the invention is to simplify and improve the mechanism for leveling the machine and for raising and lowering the beam for the purpose of regulating the depth of out.

A still further object of the invention is to simplify and improve the general construction of the plow. 1

To the accomplishment of the several objects stated and others subordinate thereto the invention in its preferred embodiment resides in that construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and succinctly defined in the appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of my implement, showing in dotted lines the positions assumed by the parts in making a turn to the right. Fig. 1 is a detail sectional view of the connection between the frontwheel frame .and the disk-beam, with the parts in the positions indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a similar viewof the connection between the disk-beam and the rear-wheel frame. Fig. 1 is a View of the connection shown in Fig. 1 with the parts disposed to correspond with the dotted position in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a similar view of the rear connection. Fig. 2 is a plan view with the parts occupying the positions they assume when the implement is being turned to the left. Fig. 2 is a de- I tail sectional view of the connection between the front-wheel frame and the disk-beam with the parts positioned as in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the connection between the beam and the rear-wheel frame. Fig. 3 is a side'elevation of the implement. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a plow-beam. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view through the disk-spindle and its sleeve and boxing. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the main casting of the rear-wheel frame. Fig. '7 is a detail View of the other casting of said frame. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the crank-axle of the 1and-side wheel, and Fig. 9 is a plan view of the implement converted for use as a gang-plow.

. Like characters of reference are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring first to the single form of plow, (illustrated moreparticularly in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,) 1 indicates the plow-beam, to which are independently connected for relative movement at front-wheel frame 2 and a rear-wheel frame 3. The frame 2 is preferably in the form of a plate formed on its under side with a socket 4. of any suitable character for the reception of the inner end of a wheel-shaft 5. At the outer end of this shaft is mounted the front wheel 6 of the impiement,ithe shaft being fitted with a dust -cap 7, disposed against the inner end of the wheel-hub. The

shaft 5 is capable of endwise adjustment for the purpose of locating the front wheel 6 at any desired distance from the center line of theimplement and is retained in its adjusted positions by screws 8, passed through the frame 2.

Adjacent to its front edge the front-wheel frame 2 is provided with a series of openings 2 for the reception of securing-bolts 2 which serve to adjustably connect a tongue 9 with the frame. The provision for the adjustment of thetongue is designed to enable the draft to be properly equalized when a number of draft-animals are hitched to the machine.

The connection between the front-wheel frame 2 and the beam 1 is designed to permit limited relative movement of these parts and with an integral vertically-disposed post 10, received within a cylindrical socket or sleeve is preferably effected by forming the frame 11, formed at the front end of the beam 1. The postis cut away at one side, as indicated at 12, to accommodate a lug 13, extending inwardly from the sleeve. This ing is normally in engagement with the rear shoulder a of the post 10 to prevent the beam from yielding to the sidedraftduringstraightaway plowing. The lug 13 is suiiiciently narrow, however, to permit limited independent turning movement of the front-wheel frame toward the plowed land before the front shoulder 19 of the post contacts therewith. (See Fig. 1 The rear-wheel frame 3 is connected to the beam 1 in asomewhat similar manner, but at a point in rear of the front-wheel frame. This rear-wheel frame comprises a main casting 14, having a vertically-disposed post 15, similar to the post 10 and likewise received within a cylindrical socket or sleeve 16, formed on the plow-beam. This post is also provided with a cutaway portion or recess 17 for the accommodation of a lug 18, integral with the sleeve 16. The lug 18 is normally spaced from both of the shoulders c and d of the post 15, (see Fig. 1,) so that the disk-beam is permitted to swing somewhat in either direction independently of the rearwheel frame. In addition to the casting 14 the rear-wheel frame 3 includes an angular frame-bar 19, connected to said casting and having secured to its rear end at a point beyond the rear extremity of the plow-beam a furrow-wheel casting 20, apertured for the reception of the vertical portion of the crankaxle 21 of the furrow-wheel 22 and provided upon its under side with angularly-related stops 23 and 24, with which the horizontal portion of the crank-axle 21 is designed to contact. As will be obvious from an examination of the drawings, the crank-axle 21 of the furrow-wheel 22 is designed to have independent swinging movement on a vertical axis, so that said wheel may assume an angular relation to the line of draft to facilitate the turning of the implementin either direction. Ordinarily, however, the wheel 22, following in the furrow, is disposed with its axis at right angles to the line of draft.

Theland-side wheel 25,1ike the furrow-wheel 22, is provided with a crank-axle 26, the vertical portion 27 thereof being received within an opening or socket 28 in the casting 14 beyond the left side of the plow-beam.

The front and rear wheel frames are connected by a flexible piece or chain 29, secured ment of the chain, as shown.

The rear end of the plow-beam 1 is curved to the right, and to its under side is bolted a substantially cylindrical journal-box 32, having a bayonet-slot 33, designed for the accommodation of a log 34, projecting from one side of a bearing-sleeve 35. This bearingsleeve surrounds the hollow spindle 36 of a plow-disk 37. A seat-plate 39 is formed at one end of the spindle 36, and against this plate the disk is firmly held by a bolt 38, passed through the disk and spindle and retained by a nut 38, which is screwed upon the bolt at the end thereof opposite the disk and is of sufficient size to prevent the spindle from being withdrawn from the bearing-sleeve. (See Fig. 5.) This arrangement facilitates the attachment and removal of the disk and insures the latter a proper bearing when in position for use. To the rear end of the beam 1 is also connected the rearwardly-extending seat-spring 40, supporting the drivers seat 41, in convenient proximity to which are located the handles of a pair of beam-adjusting levers 42 and 43. These levers are designed to raise and lower the plow-beam with respect to the plane in which the axles of the front wheel 6 and the land-side wheel are located. The lever 42 is fulcrumed at 44 upon a toothed segment 45, bolted or otherwise secured to the plow-beam in rear of the post 10. The front end of the lever is disposed at an angle and is formed with a slot 46, within which is received a pin 47, projecting from one side of the post 10 adjacent to its upper end. The lever is retained in engagement with the pin by a hammer-strap 48, bolted to the top of the post and'having a depending portion disposed to preventsuch lateral movement of the lever as wouid permit its disengagement.

The lever 42 is retained by a spring-latch 49, engaging the segment. lever is of sufficient length to accommodate the limited independent rotary movement of the post; but when it is desired to raise the beam with respect to the frontwheel this end may be accomplished by swinging the lever in an upward direction, the pin 47 constituting in this event its fulcrum. Similarly the lever 43 is fulcrumed at 50 upon a toothed segment 51, bolted to the casting 14 of the rearwheel frame The front end of this lever also is disposed at an angle and is connected by a link 52 with the beam 1. (See Fig. 3.) When the elevation of the beam with respect to the land-side Wheel is desired, the spring-latch 53 of the lever 42 is released from the segment, and the handle end of said lever is depressed in an obvious manner. I have referred to the levers 42 and 43 as beam-adjusting levers; but it is obvious that they may be regarded also as adjusting devices for the front and rear wheel frames, since it is obvious that the same relative movement of the frames and beam would effect the raising of the beam or the dropping of the frames in accordance with varying conditions.

The front face of the disk 37 is cleared by a The slot 46 in the scraper 51, carried by a strap 55, bolted to the plow-beam and bent around the edge of the disk, as shown in Fig. 1. Suitable footrests 56 are secured to the seat-spring in the usual manner.

The operation of the single form of plow is as follows: In straightaway plowing the parts assume the positions indicated in full lines in Figs. 1, 1, and 1"that is to say, the axles of the several wheels are disposed directly across the line of draft, the f urrow-wheel being retained in this position by reason of the fact that it follows in the furrow, the sides of which prevent the wheel from swerving from its proper path. If upon reaching the end of the furrow the implement is turned to the left, the parts will assume the positions indicated in Figs. 2, 2, and 2 The swinging of the tongue 9 will cause the front-wheel frame 2 and the disk-beam to be swung in unison with the post 15 of the rear-wheel frame as an axis, since the shoulder a of the post 10 will be in engagement with the lug 13 of the beam. (See Fig. 2.) As the front-wheel frame and the beam swing in unison with the post 15 of the rear frame as an axis, the disk will be shifted, so that in making the turn said disk will be presented to the ground at substantially the same angle with respect to the line of movement as is maintained by it during the plowing of a straight furrow.- This relative movement of the beam 1 with respect to the rear-wheel frame is arrested after the disk is properly positioned by the engagement of the lug 18 with the shoulder d of the post 15, (see Fig. 2 and the front-wheel frame, the beam, and the rear-wheel frame will then be connected for movement in unison, and the implement Will make a sharp turn, swinging from the land-wheel 25 as an axis. This swinging movement will of course cause the crank-axle of the f urrow-wheel to swing back until it strikes the stop 24, formed, as heretofore described, on the under side of the casting 20, and the axes of the front wheel 6 and of the furrow-wheel 22 being thus disposed in directions substantially radial with respect to the point from which the machine swings the turning of a sharp corner is facilitated, and the plowing at such point is as deep as it is in the straight portion of the furrow.

The shifting of the disk as distinguished from the mere shifting of the wheels in making a turn is one of the important features of the invention for the reason that it overcomes the tendency of the disk to rise out of the ground in turning a corner instead of maintaining that relation to the line of movement which is necessary to the effective plowing of the land.

In turning to the right the parts of the ma chine assume the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, the connections between the beam and the wheel-frames assuming the po= sitions shown in Figs. 1 and 1 respectively. As the tongue 9 is swung around toward the plowed land, or to the right, the front-wheel frame will swing with the postlO as an axis and with it will swing the rear-wheel frame with the post 15 as an axis, since these. two frames are connected by the chains 29 and 30. After predetermined movement of the two wheel-frames independently of the beam 1 the shoulder b of the post 10 will engage the lug 13 of the beam (see Fig. 1) and the shoulder d of the post 15 will engage the lug 18 of the beam. (See Fig. 1 Further movement of the tongue to theright will then cause the two wheel-frames and the beam to move in unison and the machine will make a sharp turn toward the plowed land,

Aside from the various changes accruing from the particular construction of the implement with respect to the utilization of a single disk the parts of the device have been designed with especial reference to its conversion into a gang-plow. In Fig. 9 1 have shown the plow equipped with an additional plow-beam A, provided with'an additional disk A, connected to the front-wheel frame in precisely the manner described in connection with the beam 1. The beam A, however, difiers from the beam 1 in that instead of having a cylindrical socket or sleeve corresponding to the socket 16 it is provided with a post A cut away at one side, as indicated at A and received within the cylindrical socket 11 at the forward end of the beam 1, the lug 13 of the beam being received within the recess and cooperating with the post in an obvious manner. In this converted form of the plow the rear-wheel frame is connected to the beam as in the first form, the chains 29 and 30 being necessarily lengthened because of the interposition of the additional beam A between the front-wheel frame and the beam 1 and thechain 29 being connected at the opposite side of the post to take the strain off of the connection, as it is not necessary to turn the gang-plow toward the plowed land. In making a turn with this form of the plow the front-wheel frame and the disk-beam A first swing in unison with the post A as an axis. Thereafter the rear shoulder of the post engages the lug 13 and the beams A and 1 swing in unison with respect to the rear-wheel frame, and finally the lug 18 of the beam 1 engages the front shoulder of the post 15 and the whole machine swings with the land-wheel as-an axis, as in the form of plow first described. It will be noted that when a plurality of disks are employed each of them will be shifted bodily to present it properly to the land, just as the single disk is shifted when one only is utilized.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction and operation of my disk plow will be readily comprehended; but while the illustrated embodiments of the invention are believed to be preferable I wish to be distinctly understood as reserving to myself the right to effect such changes, modifications,

and variations of the iilustated structures as may be fairly embraced within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is- 1. In a disk plow, the combination with a rigid wheel-frame,and land and furrow Wheels supporting the same, of a disk, a tongue, and means operated through the lateral movement of the tongue for shifting the disk relative to the frame to maintain the proper relation thereof to the ground in turning a corner.

2. In a disk plow, the combination with a rigid wheel-frame, land and furrow wheels supporting the same, a plow-beam, and a tongue, of a disk supported by the beam, and means connecting the tongue with the beam to shift the latter with respect to the wheelframe when making a turn.

3. In a disk plow, the combination With front and rear wheel frames, a beam connecting the frames, and a disk carried by the beam, of connections between the beam and frames permitting first a limited independent movement of the front-wheel frame with respect to the beam, and subsequently a limited independent movement of the beam with respect to the rear-wheel frame.

4. In a disk plow, the combination with relatively movable front and rear wheel frames, the latter being a rigid structure, land and furrow wheels supporting the rear frame, a plow-beam connecting said frames,and a disk, of means operated by the movement of one wheel-frame for shifting the disk with relation to the other wheel-frame.

5. In a disk plow, the combination with front and rear wheel frames, of a beam connecting said frames, and a disk carried by the beam, said beam having pivotal connection with the rear-wheel frame to permit the beam to swing with respect to said rear-wheel frame when the front-wheel frame is drawn around in making a turn and means for connecting the beam and rear-wheel frame for movement in unison after limited independent swinging movement of the beam.

6. In a disk plow, the combination with front and rear wheel frames, a beam, and a disk carried by the beam, of coupling devices connecting the beam with each of the wheelframes,said coupling devices including means permitting limited independent movement of the front-wheel frame with respect to the beam, and limited independent swinging movement of the beam with respect to the rear-wheel frame.

7. In a' disk plow, the combination with front and rear wheel frames provided with vertically-disposed posts, of a plow-beam provided with sockets for the reception of the posts, whereby the beam will have pivotal connection with each wheel-frame, a disk carried by the beam, means for connecting the front-wheel frame with the beam for movement in unison after limited relative movement thereof, and means likewise connecting the beam and the rear-wheel frame for movement in unison after predetermined relative movement.

8. In a disk plow, the combination with the wheel-frames, and the beam, of a connection between the beam and each wheel-frame, each connection including a post and socket, one of said elements having a recess and the other a lug received therein.

9. In a disk plow, the combination with front and rear wheel frames, of a beam, a disk carried thereby, and means for adjusting the beam vertically with respect to the wheelframes.

10. In a disk plow, the combination with front and rear wheel frames, a beam, and a disk carried by the beam, of separate devices for effecting the relative vertical adjustment of the wheel-frames with respect to the beam.

11. In a disk plow, the combination with a front-wheel frame, a rear-wheel frame, a beam having pivotal connection with both of said frames, and a disk carried by the beam, of means for adjusting each wheel-frame vertically with respect to the beam, and means for connecting the front-wheel frame with the beam for movement in unison after limited relative movement thereof.

12. In a disk plow, the combination with a front-wheel frame, a beam pivoted thereto, and a disk carried by the beam, of means for connecting the front-wheel frame with the beam after said frame has swung a limited distance, a rear-wheel frame having pivotal connection with the beam in rear of the frontwheel frame, means for connecting the beam after limited movement thereof with the rearwheel frame, a lever for effecting the relative vertical adjustment of the front-wheel frame and beam, and a second lever for effecting a similar relative adjustment of the beam and rear-wheel frame.

13. In a disk plow, the combination with a front-wheel frame, and a front Wheel supporting the same, of a rigid structure constituting a rear-Wheel frame, a land-wheel and a furrow-wheel supporting the rear-wheel frame and mounted to swing relative thereto,a beam connecting the two wheel-frames, and a disk carried by the beam.

14:. In a disk plow, the combination with a front-wheel frame, a front wheel supporting the same, a beam connected to said frame, and a disk carried by the beam, of a rearwheel frame, a land-wheel and a furrow-wheel supporting the opposite ends of the rear-wheel frame, and a pivotal connection between the front end of the rear-wheel frame and the beam at a point in rear of the front-wheel frame, said pivotal connection including means for connecting the beam, after limited relative movement thereof, with the rear-wheel frame for movement in unison therewith.

15. In a disk plow, the combination with a front-wheel frame,a rear-wheel frame,a beam having pivotal connection with both frames, and a disk carried by the beam, of a flexible connection between the front-wheel frame and the rear-wheel frame, independent of the beam, crank-axles mounted at the opposite ends of the rear-wheel frame, and a flexible connection between one of said crank-axles and the front-wheel frame.

16. In a disk plow, the combination with front and rear wheel frames, each having the form of a rigid frame structure, of a front furrow-wheel supporting the front frame, a land-wheel and a rear furrow-wheel supporting the rear-wheel frame, and a connection between the wheel-frames including a diskcarrying element.

17. In a disk plow, the combination with a front-wheel frame normally disposed straight across the line of draft, and a rear-wheel frame in the form of a rigid structure disposed obliquely across the line of draft in rear of the front frame, of a front furrowwheel supporting the front frame,crank-axles supporting the opposite ends of the rearwheel frame, land and furrow wheels mounted on said axles, and a connection between the wheel frames including a disk-carrying element.

18. In a disk plo'w, the combination with front and rear wheel frames, both disposed transverse to the line of draft, and land and furrow wheels supporting the wheel-frames, of a connection between said frames including a disk-carrying element, and means for connecting the disk-carrying element and the front-wheel frame for movement in unison after limited independent movement of said frame, and for subsequently compelling the disk-carrying element and the rear-wheel frame to move in unison after limited movement of said element relative to the rear frame.

19. A plow including one or more disk-carrying elements, front and rear wheeled supports mounted to swing relative thereto, and a connection intermediate of said supports compelling their movement in unison when the front support is swung in one direction and permitting independent movement of the front support when swung in the opposite direction.

20. A plow including one or more disk-carrying elements, front and rear Wheeled supports mounted to swing relative thereto, and means intermediate of said supports normally restraining the swinging movement of the rear support in one direction, said means being arranged to transmit swinging movement from the front support to the rear support when the plow is turned in one direction and to permit independent swinging movement of said supports relative to each other and to the disk-carrying element or elements when the plow is turned in the opposite direction.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have heretoaffixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL V. WEEKS.

Witnesses:

W. E. REYNOLDS, LLEWELLYN G. BROWNE. 

